Bio number 6 Plant Biology and Diversity Lecture Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering plant classification, reproductive structures, specialized tissues, photosynthetic organs, and physiological behaviors from the lecture material.

Hyperion (Sequoia sempervirens)

The tallest known plant, a coast redwood measuring $379.3\,\text{ft}$.

The General Sherman (Sequoidendron giganteum)

The largest known plant, a giant sequoia measuring $52,513\,\text{cu ft}$.

Rafflesia arnoldii

The largest flower, also known as the corpse flower, which reaches $3\,\text{ft}$ wide and $24\,\text{lb}$.

Wolffia arrhiza

The smallest flowering plant, known as Spotless watermeal, measuring less than $2\,\text{mm}$ ($0.079\,\text{inches}$).

Nonvascular plants (bryophytes)

Smaller plants lacking xylem and phloem that rely on diffusion, including mosses, liverworts, and hornworts.

Seedless vascular plants

Vascular plants containing xylem and phloem that reproduce using hidden spore structures, including lycophytes and pterophytes.

Gymnosperms

Seeded vascular plants that produce seeds through cones and typically possess modified leaves known as needles.

Angiosperms

The most abundant and common group of plants on Earth today, consisting of seeded vascular plants that reproduce through flowers.

Eudicots

Angiosperms with two true cotyledons that store nutrients used by the developing embryo.

Monocots

Angiosperms with one cotyledon that absorbs food molecules from the endosperm and passes them to the embryo.

Autotrophs

Organisms that carry on photosynthesis to produce organic molecules.

Chlorophylls

Green photosynthetic pigments that capture solar energy in plants.

Carotenoids

Red and yellow photosynthetic pigments that absorb specific portions of visible light to capture solar energy.

Stomata

Openings in plant leaves through which carbon dioxide enters.

Thylakoids

Flattened sacs containing the enzymatic pathway responsible for transferring solar energy stored in pigments into carbohydrate molecules.

Grana

Stacks of thylakoid membranes located inside chloroplasts.

Tissue

A group of cells consisting of one or more cell types that together perform a specialized function.

Organ

A plant structure consisting of several types of tissues that together carry out particular functions.

Root hairs

Projections from roots that increase the capacity to absorb water and minerals.

Xylem

Non-living vascular tissue that forms a continuous pipeline transporting water and minerals upward from the roots to the leaves.

Phloem

Living vascular tissue that transports sugars, organic compounds, and hormones downward from the leaves to the roots.

Stolons

Above-ground horizontal stems, also referred to as runners.

Rhizomes

Underground horizontal stems.

Tubers

Enlarged portions of underground stems that function in food storage.

Deciduous plants

Plants that lose all of their leaves every year.

Evergreen plants

Plants that retain their leaves for a period of two to seven years.

Apical meristems

Regions of plant tissue located at root and shoot tips that allow for continual plant growth.

Stamen

The male reproductive structure of a flower, composed of a stalk-like filament and a pollen-producing anther.

Carpel

The female reproductive structure of a flower, composed of a basal ovary, a style, and a stigma where pollen is received.

Seed

A plant structure consisting of an embryo and nutrients enclosed within a protective coat.

Fruit

The final product of a flower consisting of a mature ovary (and sometimes additional parts) that protects seeds and aids in dispersal.

Amorphophallus titanum

The largest compound flower, which reaches $7'5"$ and can stand over $3\,\text{m}$ tall.

Accessory fruits

Fruits containing parts derived from floral structures other than the ovary, such as strawberries, figs, and apples.

Simple fruits

Fruits derived from a simple ovary of a single carpel, including legumes, berries, dry fruits, and fleshy fruits.

Aggregate fruits

Compound fruits developed from multiple ovaries belonging to a single flower, such as blackberries.

Multiple fruits

Compound fruits formed from the ovaries of many different individual flowers, such as pineapples.

Phototropism

Directional plant growth in response to light.

Gravitropism

Directional plant growth in response to gravity.

Thigmotropism

Directional plant growth in response to physical touch.

Parasitic plants

Plants lacking certain physiological structures that make them dependent on another organism for survival.

Carnivorous plants

Angiosperms that attract, trap, and kill prey to obtain minerals such as nitrogen, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus in nutrient-poor soils.

Nepenthes rajah

An extreme example of a carnivorous pitcher plant large enough to catch a rat.